Alien ladybird invades Ireland

Posted on Tuesday, December 07, 2010 at 08:05 AM

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A ladybird native to Asia, the Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia Axyridis), has been spotted in two locations in Ireland. The alien invader poses a threat to the country's "unique biodiversity".

The ladybirds were spotted in County Cork and Wicklow. Colette O’Flynn from the National Biodiversity Data Centre “If the Harlequin Ladybird becomes established, it will lead to a decline, and in some cases, the extinction of some of our 15 native ladybird species."

It's believed that they arrived to Ireland on imported vegetables, fruit or plants. Ms O’Flynn said they could represent “the tip of the iceberg in terms of a new invasion to the island of Ireland.

“The Harlequin Ladybird is one of the fastest-spreading invasive species in Europe,” she said.

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Towngate | Dec 09, 2010, 11:35 AM EST

Re Headline: ONE Ladybird shouldn't do much harm.

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sirpeter | Dec 07, 2010, 04:24 PM EST

But Georgey boy..what about all those posts you say about foreigners coming into Ireland? I mean we can't have these black ladybirds integrating with our own ladybirds..I mean it's just not right.Tell us Georgey what will we do?

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GeorgeDillon | Dec 07, 2010, 02:59 PM EST

Sirpeter, racists like you get mad even when a foreign insect comes into Ireland. though I suppose bigots like you think that all foreigners are insects. And horror--this insect isn't even white--reach for your blood pressure medicine, you racist nut case!

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sirpeter | Dec 07, 2010, 12:07 PM EST

Georgedillion ...more foreigners,what will we do?

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